Despite local rumblings to the contrary, work to convert the beautiful Old Hospital into a Community Hub for use by the people of Minehead is well underway.

Following the acquisition of the site by Bill Howard and the public consultation which followed, the Not For Profit Community Interest Company (CIC) known as Minehead Connect was formed in December 2016 to drive the project forward, under the directorship of Mr Brian Leaker, Mr Alex de Mendoza and Mr Andrew Kingston-James . Following on from that a project steering group drawn from the local community will guide the CIC to ensure to achieve proper community involvement and sign up. Formation of this steering group is already well underway.

The vision of Minehead Connect is for the Old Hospital to become the focal point for the community, bringing people together and providing a platform to enhance quality of life and social enjoyment. The plan is that the whole of the main building at the front of the site and all of the ground floor areas behind will be used for community purposes, with the main building being lovingly restored to its original Assembly Room format and safeguarded in the process.

The aim is that it will accommodate all manner of community services and activities from family events such as weddings and birthdays to conference and exhibition centre and for dance/drama/exercise and music groups.

The need for the scheme is included in, and forms part of, the local economic development plan which can be down loaded from www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/getattachment/Business/Economics-Strategies/Minehead-CCT-Economic-Plan-Jan-2016.pdf.aspx

In September 2016 Planning and Listed Buildings Approval was achieved for the scheme. Details of the planning applications can be seen here: https://www.westsomerset.gov.uk/online-applications/
Please enter the following references: 3/21/15/113 (Change of Use) and 3/21/15/114 (Internal and External Alterations)

In the meantime major repair works have already been carried out to remove damp and dry rot from for instance the Exmoor Ward area.

The next steps will include the following areas:

• Renew the Community Consultation study with a wider reach and increased depth.
  
• Progress development of overall strategy for capital funding
  
• Refine early financial viability studies and finalise a robust long term sustainable Business plan, which can be worked to and relied upon for years to come
  
• Submit application to West Somerset Council for initial “Section 106” funds to ‘kick start’ construction projects by enabling the rehabilitation of rear areas of the site and bringing them back into community use.
  
• Initial estimated costing for the total scheme of works is calculated at £2.1 million and discussions with funding groups such as Architectural Heritage Fund are already well underway.

For information updates please like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mineheadconnect/
For any questions please send your email to: info@mineheadconnect.co.uk

The Rotary Club of Minehead and The Quantocks have opened their Pop-Up Charity Shop in what was the Day Room at the front of the Old Hospital. It's Open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:30 and is manned by The Rotary Club on Fridays & Saturdays. On other days other charities operate the shop and they receive the proceeds for that day. Why not pop in for some bargains and support local charities. You can also pop in to donate items to be sold! You can contact the Rotary Club via their web site
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The Rotary Club of Minehead & The Quantocks and Minehead Lions Club are working to prepare their Santa's Grotto in the main doorway vestibule. Watch this space to see when Santa will be in residence!
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From the 9th December we will have a stage on the Forecourt. Paul Miles of Paul Miles Scaffolding has very kindly agreed to donate his time and materials to erect a stage to be used by any organisation who would like to stage a performance outside the Old Hospital.

Events planned so far:
Saturday December 10th: 1pm Minehead Street Choir, 3pm Minehead First School Christmas Choir
Saturday 17th December - events to be announced
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November 26th sees the first booking inside for a Childrens Disco Birthday Party! (Donation made to Rotary in lieu of fee)
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Just to remind everyone - the Old Hospital Forecourt (including the stage area) is available for use by organisations who would like some central, outside space over the Christmas period. The space is given free of charge (at the user's own risk). The only condition being that the event does not include trading activity.

If you would like to use the Forecourt over Christmas please call Philippa on 07885 647076 or email philippambuckley@aol.co.uk

Brilliant news: at a meeting of West Somerset Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 29 September, members voted overwhelmingly to approve our application for Change of Use from a Hospital, to a Community Hub and Public Events Venue, plus four flats.
Thank you to everyone who wrote in favour of this application. This is an enormous step forward for our project to create a thriving Community Hub in the centre of Minehead that will also serve the wider community of West Somerset.
We still have to secure funding for the renovations to the main building and old Assembly Rooms but are hoping to be able to return some of the less damaged areas to use in the not too distant future.

Bill will be on site during the Community Fair on Friday 7 October, so why not come along and find out more about what is planned?

More music on the forecourt and it proved popular with visitors to Minehead and some interesting costumes were sighted.
Not sure who was entertaining who here :o)

Thanks to Vikki, Bex and Freya!

Minehead’s first community fair is set to be held on the forecourt of the former hospital, on Friday 7 October 2016, from 12 noon until 7pm,  and will be opened by the first baby to have been born on the new top floor maternity ward, in 1953.

Community groups are being invited to book a space to promote their work to the public.

Full details can be see on the Community Fair page